Apparatus for cleaning and drying cosmetic brushes

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cleaning and drying at least one plural cosmetic brush having a handle from which a plurality of bristles projects outward is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a support member, a fan, and a wiping member. The support member is configured for supporting the handle of at least one cosmetic brush with the bristles of the brush located within a drying space into which a stream of air from the fan is directed. The wiping member sweeps across the bristles to cause them to separate, whereupon the air stream reaches between them blow any debris on the bristles off of the bristles and to dry any moisture or wetness on the bristles if there is any such moisture or wetness on the bristles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser.No. 62/614,585, filed on Jan. 8, 2018, entitled Apparatus For CleaningCosmetic Brushes, the entire contents of such application beingincorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cleaning apparatus and moreparticularly to apparatus for cleaning cosmetic brushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetic brushes, also known as makeup brushes, are commonly used toapply makeup and other cosmetic products by users. Most of such brushesinclude a brush-head composed of a multitude of bristles. After use,particularly extended use, the bristles of the brush tend to accumulateresidue from the make-up (cosmetic products), particularly in theinterstices between the bristles or on the surface of the bristles. Notonly is this build-up of make-up residue on the bristles potentiallyunsanitary, but can also make further effective use of the brush toapply additional make-up less effective. As such makeup brushes need tobe cleaned periodically. Such action is not only desirable from ahygienic standpoint, but also from an economic standpoint, since it hasthe tendency to prolong the life of the brush's bristles.

The cleaning of make-up brushes can be accomplished in a variety ofways. For example, the user may use a commercial liquid makeup brushcleanser or using soap and water on the bristles to work the cleaningliquid cleanser deep into the bristles, thereafter rinsing the bristlesand wiping the brush-head against a paper or cloth towel. Needless tosay, such action can be time consuming and tedious.

The patent literature includes various patents disclosing devices thatcan be used to mechanically clean makeup brushes. Examples of suchpatents/published patent applications are: U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,318(Marquette); U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,112 (Smith et al.); U.S. Pat. No.9,380,860 (Taylor); and US2014/0096801 (McCormick et al.).

While such apparatus may be generally suitable for their intendedpurposes, they nevertheless appear to suffer from one or more of thefollowing drawbacks: complexity of construction, cost, ease of use, etc.Thus a need exists for an apparatus that can be used to automaticallyclean one or more makeup brushes which overcomes the disadvantages ofthe prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of this invention is an apparatus for cleaning a cosmeticbrush. The cosmetic brush includes a handle from which a brush-head,comprising a plurality of bristles projects outward. The bristles have afree end. The apparatus comprises a housing, a support member, a fan,and a wiping member. The housing comprises a drying space. The supportmember is configured for supporting the handle of at least one cosmeticbrush therein, whereupon the bristles of the brush are located withinthe drying space. The fan is configured for introducing a stream of airinto the drying space. The wiping member and the support member areconfigured to move with respect to each other to cause the wiping memberto sweep across the bristles to cause the bristles to separate,whereupon air from the fan can reach between the bristles to blow anydebris off of the bristles and to dry any moisture or wetness on thebristles if there is any such moisture or wetness on the bristles.

In accordance with one preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the wiping member comprises an oscillating member locatedwithin the housing adjacent the drying space and configured for sweepingacross the bristles of the brush.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the wiping member comprises plural blades separated from oneanother by respective air gaps between the blades.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the wiping member is located within the stream of air.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the fan comprises a rotating member having plural vanes, withthe rotating member being mounted for rotation about an axis within ashroud to produce the stream of air.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the shroud includes an outlet opening through which thestream of air passes and wherein the wiping member is located over theoutlet opening, whereupon the stream of air can flow through the airgaps between the blades.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the shroud is stationarily mounted within the housing andwherein the wiping member is mounted for movement with respect to theshroud, with the wiping member being configured to be reciprocated by amotor to cause the wiping member to sweep the blades across the bristlesof the brush.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the support member comprises plural openings, each of whichis configured to receive and support a respective cosmetic brushtherein.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the support member is pivotable from a loading/unloadingposition to a cleaning position and vice versa. The support member whenin the loading/unloading position is oriented such that the handles ofthe brushes received within the plural openings extend parallel to thewiping member. The support member when in the cleaning position isoriented such that the handles of the brushes extend at an angle to thewiping member with the bristles of the brushes in engagement with thewiping member.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, each of the plural openings includes a periphery and aplurality of resilient fingers extending inward from the periphery.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the apparatus additionally comprises an openable/closablecover configured for extending over and covering the support member andthe drying space.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the cover comprises a pair of cover sections, each of whichis pivotably connected to the housing.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the apparatus additionally comprises an actuator forinitiating the operation of the apparatus to cause the fan and thewiping member to begin operation, and a timer for automatically turningoff the fan and wiping member after a predetermined period of time haselapsed. In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus ofthis invention, the apparatus additionally comprises a visual displaymember configured to provide an indication of the amount of timeremaining before the time turns the fan and the wiping member off.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the housing includes a tray including a ridged memberconfigured to receive a cleaning solution on the ridged member,whereupon the bristles of the brush may be wetted with the cleaningsolution and rubbed across the ridged member to loosen any debris on thebristles, whereupon the brush can thereafter be mounted on the supportmember of the apparatus for cleaning.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the ridged member comprises a plurality of undulating ridgesspaced adjacent one another.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the apparatus of thisinvention, the ridged member comprises a silicone pad.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be described in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements andwherein:

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of one exemplary embodiment of an apparatusconstructed in accordance with this invention for cleaning at least onecosmetic brush, with the apparatus being shown ready to clean and dryplural cosmetic brushes;

FIG. 1B is an isometric view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing theapparatus of FIG. 1 with a portion, i.e., a brush clamp, pivoted upwardto enable the cosmetic brushes to be cleaned to be mounted in theapparatus;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the various components making up theapparatus of FIG. 1, except for the apparatus' external housing;

FIG. 3 is a reduced exploded isometric view of the components shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of two of the components of theapparatus of FIG. 1, namely, a motor and a fan;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged isometric view of another of the components of theapparatus of FIG. 1, namely, a shroud for the fan shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view of another of the components of theapparatus of FIG. 1, namely, a movable wiper for wiping the bristles ofthe cosmetic brushes when they are mounted in the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a reduced partially exploded isometric view of an alternativeembodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the alternative embodimentbeing shown minus its housing, which housing is the same as theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged isometric view of some of the components of thealternative apparatus of FIG. 9, namely an assembly of a shroud mountingthe fan, its motor and a brush wiper, and an associated motor andlinkage for pivoting the assembly with respect to the housing;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged isometric view of the shroud shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of another alternative, and most preferred,exemplary embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with thisinvention for cleaning at least one cosmetic brush, with the apparatusbeing shown with a pair of cover members of the housing of the apparatusopen, and with a plurality of brushes mounted in the housing of theapparatus so that they can be cleaned and dried thereby;

FIG. 13 is an exploded isometric view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A is an exploded isometric view of some of the components,namely, a fan, a shroud for the fan, a motor for operating the fan, awiping member, and a motor for reciprocating the wiping member, all ofwhich are located within the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14B is another exploded isometric view of the components shown inFIG. 12A, but taken from a different angle;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the components shown in FIGS. 14A and14B shown assembled together;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged top plan view of the assembled components shownin FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged isometric view of the wiping member of theapparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged isometric view of one component, namely, a basemember, making up a portion of the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged isometric view of another component, namely, atray, which is mounted within the base member of the housing, with thetray being show holding a ridged “scrubbing” panel therein;

FIG. 20 is an even more enlarged isometric view of the ridged panelshown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged top plan view of a brush support member, whichmakes up a portion of the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged isometric view of a display panel forming aportion of the housing of the apparatus;

FIG. 23A is a reduced isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 12, withthe covers of its housing being shown in their closed state, whereuponthe apparatus is ready to be used to clean and dry at least one cosmeticbrush;

FIG. 23B is an isometric view, similar to FIG. 23A, but showing the trayof the apparatus extended to provide access to the ridged panel,whereupon a cleaning solution on the panel can be engaged by thebristles of a brush to wash the bristles by moving them across theridged scrubbing panel, whereupon when that washing action is completedthe brush may be mounted on the apparatus, for further cleaning anddrying;

FIG. 23C is an isometric view, similar to FIG. 23B, but showing thecovers of the apparatus opened, and with the brush support memberoriented in a brush-receiving position to facilitate the mounting of oneor more brushes therein by extending the handle end of the brush into arespective opening in the brush support member;

FIG. 23D is an isometric view, similar to FIG. 23C, but one brushmounted in the brush support member; and

FIG. 23E is an isometric view, similar to FIG. 23D, but with the brushsupport member oriented in its operative position wherein the bristlesof the brush are in engagement with the wiping member, whereupon theapparatus may be turned on to cause the motors to reciprocate the wipingmember and operate the fan to blow air through the reciprocating wipermember to thereby clean and dry the bristles of the brush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein likereference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 oneexemplary apparatus 20 for cleaning cosmetic brushes 10 constructed inaccordance with this invention. The apparatus can be used to clean and,if necessary dry one or more than one cosmetic or make-up brush. Beforedescribing the apparatus 20, a brief description of a typical cosmeticor make-up brush 10 is in order. As is known, such brushes typicallyinclude an elongated handle 12 having a distal end from which a brushhead 14 projects outward. The brush head 14 is made up of a large numberof elongated bristles (not shown), which can be natural or synthetic. Assuch there are a multitude of interstitial spaces between the bristles.It is in these interstitial spaces as well as on the surface of thebristles that debris, e.g., old make-up, etc., accumulates and whichshould be cleaned periodically.

In one application, apparatus constructed in accordance with thisinvention can be used to dry and clean one or more cosmetic brushes thathas/have been pre-cleaned cleaned by immersion of the brush head in acleaning solution, e.g., water or some commercially available cleaningsolution or by commercially available cleaning devices. In that case thesubject apparatus will clean the brush head bristles of any remainingdebris or liquid by agitating those bristles, e.g., spreading themapart, and blowing air into the interstitial spaces between the spreadapart bristles to blow such debris off those bristles and while alsodrying the bristles of any cleaning liquid. In another application, theapparatus of this invention can be used need not be used to clean one ormore brushes that have not been pre-cleaned with a cleaning solution orare otherwise already dry. In such an alternative application theapparatus will clean the dry brush head bristles by agitating thosebristles, e.g., spreading them apart, and blowing air into theinterstitial spaces between the spread apart bristles to blow any debrisoff those bristles. Thus, in either of those applications, the apparatusof this invention are configured to accommodate one or more brusheswhose brush heads need to be cleaned and/or dried by causing thebristles of those brush heads to be agitated or swept by a wiping memberto separate the bristles while a stream of air is directed to thebristles, thereby removing any debris that may have accumulated on thebristles and drying the bristles if there is any moisture or wetness onthe bristles. Moreover, owing to the construction of the apparatus andin particular its brush holding components (to be described later), itcan accommodate cosmetic brushes of various constructions, sizes andshapes.

The apparatus 20 basically comprises a housing 22, a fan assembly 24, awiper member 26, a fan motor 28, and a wiper motor 30. The housing 22 isa hollow member formed of any suitable material, e.g., plastic, metal,etc., and has a bottom wall 22A, a pair of upstanding side walls 22B and22C, an upstanding back wall 22D, a top wall 22E, and an intermediatewall 22F. The interior space bounded by the walls 22A-22F forms aninterior chamber in which the fan assembly 24, the wiper member 26 andthe motors 28 and 30 are located. The front of the housing is in theform of an open window 32. A brush support member 34 is disposed overthe window 32 between the side walls 22B and 22C and spaced from thebottom edge of the intermediate wall 22F. As best seen in FIG. 1B, thebrush support member 34 includes a back edge 34A and a front edge 34B.The back edge 34A of the brush support member is spaced from the bottomedge of the intermediate wall 22F. The space between the bottom edge ofthe intermediate wall 22F and the back edge 34A of the brush supportmember 34 forms a drying space 36 which is in communication with thefront of the wiping member 26.

The brush support member 34 includes a plurality, e.g., in this caseseven, semi-circular, linear recesses 38 extending from the front edge34B to the back edge 34A. Each of these recesses is configured toreceive a portion of the handle 12 of a respective cosmetic brush 10, sothat the free end of the bristles of the brush head 14 is locatedimmediately adjacent the wiping member 26 and within the drying space36.

In order to securely hold any brush 10 within the apparatus 20 so thatthe bristles of its brush head can be cleaned and dried, the housing 22includes a movable clamping member 40 which cooperates with the brushsupport member 34. In particular, the movable clamping member includes apair of side arms 40A and 40B, which are pivotably connected viarespective pivot pins 42 to a pair of ears 42A and 42B extending fromthe sidewalls 22B and 22C, respectively, adjacent the bottom edge of theintermediate wall 22F. The clamping member 40 includes a cross-member 44interposed between the front ends of the side arms 40A and 40B. Thecross-member is formed of any suitable material, e.g., plastic, metal,etc. An insert block 46 is secured to the underside of the cross member44. The block 46 is preferably formed of a somewhat resilient material,e.g., foam, and includes a back edge 46A and a front edge 46B. Theinsert block 46 includes a plurality, e.g., in this case seven,semi-circular, linear recesses 48 extending from the front edge 46B tothe back edge 46A. Each of the recesses 48 is preferably of the samecross-sectional shape as the recesses 38 in the brush support member 34(but could be smaller since the material making up the insert block isresilient). The recesses 48 are configured to conjoin with the recesses38 of the brush support member when the movable clamping member ispivoted downward into its closed state, like shown in FIG. 1A. In thisstate the conjoining recesses 48 and 38 form respective channels tightlyengaging and holding any brush handle 12 located therein. It should bepointed out at this juncture that the insert block 46 does not need toinclude any recesses 48, since it is formed of a resilient material,e.g., foam, whereupon it will conform to a portion of the periphery ofeach brush handle located within each recess 38 in the brush supportmember 34.

The fan assembly 24 will be described in detail later. Suffice it fornow to state that it is configured to provide an stream of air throughslots (to be described later) in the wiping member 26 as the wipingmember oscillates or sweeps back and forth across the bristles of thebrushes.

The wiping member 26 is best seen in FIG. 8 and basically comprises arectangular frame having plural longitudinally extending blades 26Aextending between a pair of end sections 26B. Each of the blades 26A isseparated from the immediately adjacent blade by an open slot 26C. Apair of guide pins 26D project outward from the outer surface of each ofthe end sections 26B. The pins 26D on one end section 26B are configuredto fit within a respective slot (to be described later) of a shroud 50(also to be described later) of the fan assembly 24, while the pins 26Don the opposite end section 26B are configured to fit within anotherrespective slot of the shroud 50. This configuration enables the wipingmember 26 to be oscillated or reciprocated with respect to the shroud 50to enable the blades of the wiping member to sweep back and forth acrossthe free end of the brush's bristles.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, there is shown the shroud 50. Theshroud is formed of any suitable material, e.g., plastic, metal, etc.,and is in the form of a hollow member having a pair of flanged end walls52 and an open front window 54 located between the end walls. Each endwall 52 includes a circular opening 52A. The front portion of each endwall 52 includes an elongated slot or track 52B. The slot 52B on of oneend wall 52 is configured to slideably receive the pair of guide pins26D on one of the end section 26B of the wiping member 26, while theslot 52B on the opposite end wall slideably receives the pair of guidepins 26D on the opposite end section 52B of the wiping member. Thespacing between the pins 26D of each pair of pins is less than thelength of the slot or track 52B in which the pair of pins is disposed toestablish the range of movement or reciprocation of the wiper member 26with respect to the shroud 50.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the lowermost one of one of the pairs of guidepins 26D of the wiping member is pivotably connected to one end of alink 56A of a linkage assembly 56. The other end of the link 56A ispivotably connected to one end of another link 56B of the linkageassembly. The opposite end of the link 56B is connected to a rotaryoutput shaft 30A of the wiper motor 30. The wiper motor 30 is fixedlysecured to the side wall 22B of the housing by plural screws 58 and isconnected to a source of electrical power (not shown). Accordingly, whenthat electrical power is applied to the wiper motor 30 its rotary outputshaft 30A rotates. The shroud 50 is fixedly secured to the housing 22via a pair of connecting rods 60 extending through associated holes inthe flanged end walls 52. Each end of each connecting rod is fixedlysecured by any suitable means, e.g., screws (not shown), to theassociated (adjacent) side wall of the housing 22. Accordingly, upon theoperation of the motor 30, the rotation of the output shaft 30A will betranslated into linear reciprocating motion of the previously mentionedlowermost guide pin 26D, whereupon that pin will move up and down in theslot or track 52B thereby carrying the wiping member 26 with it.Accordingly, the wiper member will be oscillated or reciprocated up anddown with respect to the free end of the bristles of the brushes mountedin the apparatus.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the fan assembly 24basically comprises the shroud 50, a fan-blade assembly 62 and the fanmotor 28. The fan-blade assembly 62 is in the form of a hollowcylindrical member having two cylindrical sections 62A and 62B centeredabout a central longitudinal axis A and separated by a planar circularintermediate wall 62C. Each of the sections 62A and 62B includes aplurality of linear fan blades 64, which are arcuate in cross-section(See FIGS. 5 and 6) and which extend parallel to the axis A. A lineardrive shaft 66 extends along the axis A and is fixedly secured to thecenter of the intermediate wall 62C. The drive shaft 66 constitutes therotary output shaft of the fan motor 28.

The fan-blade assembly 62 is located within the hollow interior of theshroud 50, with the open free end of that assembly located immediatelyadjacent and in fluid communication with the opening 52A in the flangeend wall 52 of the shroud. Moreover, there is a similarly sized opening22G in the housing's side wall 22B that is in fluid communication withthe opening 52A in that flange end wall. The opposite end of thefan-blade assembly from which the drive shaft 66 extends is locatedimmediately adjacent the opening 52A on the opposite end of the shroudso that the drive shaft extends out of that opening. The fan motor 28 isfixedly secured within the housing 22 immediately adjacent that oppositeend of the shroud by any suitable means, e.g., screws (not shown). Theside wall 22C also includes an opening 22G which is of the same size asthe opening 22G in the side wall 22B and is axially aligned with it.

Operation of the fan assembly 24 to produce the air stream is asfollows. The fan motor 28, is connected to a source of electrical power(not shown) which when electricity is applied to the fan motor causesthe fan motor to operate and its drive shaft 66 to rotate about the axisA. This action rotates the fan-blade assembly 62 about that axis,whereupon ambient air from outside the housing 22 enters through theopenings 22G and into the interior of the fan blade assembly. Thataction produces a stream of air which is directed outward through theslots 26C in the wiper member 26 into the drying space 36. The stream ofair entering the drying space thus impinges the bristles of the brushes10 mounted in the apparatus 20 as the blades 64 of the wiping member 26repeatedly sweep up and down across those bristles thereby separatingthem. Accordingly, the stream of air reaches the interstitial spacesbetween the separated bristles to dry any moisture or wetness on thebristles and blow any debris off of the bristles.

As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, owing to theconstruction of the apparatus 20 the stream of air will not only flowinto the bristles at the free end of the brush heads, but also above andbelow the brush heads. Accordingly, debris from the bristles can exitupward out of the drying space and downward below the drying space andout the open window 32 in the front of the housing, thereby facilitatingthe cleaning and drying action of the apparatus 20.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-11, there is shown an alternative exemplaryembodiment of an apparatus 120 for cleaning and drying cosmetic brushes10 constructed in accordance with this invention. The apparatus 120 isvery similar in construction and operation to the apparatus 20, exceptfor the fact that the apparatus 120 is configured so that the wipermember 26 is oscillated or reciprocated along with the fan assemblyinstead of oscillating/reciprocating with respect to the fan assembly asis the case of the apparatus 20. In the interest of brevity thosecomponents of the apparatus 120 which are identical in construction andoperation with the like components of the apparatus 20 will be given thesame reference numbers and their description and operation will not bereiterated. The apparatus 120 includes a housing 22, like the apparatus20, but that housing has been omitted from FIG. 9 in the interest ofdrawing simplicity.

As can be seen in FIG. 9 the shroud of the apparatus 120 is given thereference number 150 and is similar in construction to the shroud 50,except for the fact that the wiper member 26 is fixedly secured to theshroud, i.e., it is fixedly secured in the window 54 of the shroud 150.Thus, the shroud does not include the slots 52B. Instead, the flangedend 52 opposite the end where the motor 28 is located includes anoutwardly projecting pin 152 which is pivotably connected to the link56A of the linkage assembly 56. The other end of the link 56A ispivotably connected to one end of the link 56B. The opposite end of thelink 56B is connected to a rotary output shaft 30A of the wiper motor30. The wiper motor 30 is fixedly secured to the side wall 22B of thehousing by plural screws 58. An elongated rod-like axle 160 extendsbetween the side walls 22B and 22C and is passed through respectiveholes 162 in the flanged ends walls 52 of the shroud 150. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, each end of the axle 160 is fixedlysecured to a respective side wall of the housing, whereas the portion ofthe axle passing through the holes 162 is not secured to the axle.Accordingly, the shroud 150 is pivotable about the longitudinal axis ofthe axle and can thus pivot with respect to the housing 22. Inparticular, upon the operation of the wiper motor 30, the rotation ofits output shaft 30A will be coupled by the links 56B and 56A to theoutwardly projecting pin 152 on the shroud. Since that pin is laterallyoffset from the axis of the axle 160, the shroud and the fan assemblydisposed therein will be repeatedly pivoted clockwise andcounter-clockwise about the axle 160. Since the wiping member 36 isfixedly mounted to the shroud 150 the pivoting of the shroud will resultin the wiping member 26 being swept back and forth across the bristlesof the brushes to clean the brushes, while the air stream exitingthrough the slots 26C of the wiping member blows any debris off of thebristles in the same manner as described earlier.

It should be noted that while the embodiment 120 makes use of a fixedaxle 160, i.e., an axle whose ends are fixedly secured to the side walls22B and 22C of the housing so that the shroud can pivot with respect tothe axle, that arrangement is not mandatory. Thus, it is contemplatedthat axle itself may movable, e.g., the ends of the axle could berotatably mounted within bearings (not shown) mounted on the side walls22B and 22C of the housing, but with the portions of the axle beingfixedly secured to the flanged end walls 52. In such a case, the axleand the shroud could still be pivoted back and forth about the axis ofthe axle, whereupon the wiping member will be repeatedly swept back andforth across the bristles of the brush(es).

Turning now to FIG. 12 there is shown a more preferred embodiment 220 ofapparatus constructed in accordance with this invention for cleaning oneor more cosmetic brushes 10. The apparatus 220 can be for the samepurposes as the apparatus 20 and 120 described above. In fact, theapparatus 220 is particularly suited to clean and dry one or morecosmetic brushes that has/have been pre-cleaned cleaned by immersion ofthe brush head in a cleaning solution, e.g., water or some commerciallyavailable cleaning solution, on a ridged “scrubbing” panel (to bedescribed later) in a tray (also to be described later) of the housingof the apparatus 220. In that case the operation of the apparatus 220will clean the brush head bristles of any remaining debris or liquid byagitating those bristles, e.g., spreading them apart, and blowing airinto the interstitial spaces between the spread apart bristles to blowsuch debris off those bristles and while also drying the bristles of anycleaning liquid.

The apparatus 220 basically comprises a housing 222, a fan assembly 224(FIGS. 15 and 16), a wiper member 226, a fan motor 228 (FIG. 13), and awiper motor 230 (FIG. 13). The fan assembly 224, wiper member 226, fanmotor 228, and wiper motor 230 are all mounted within the housing 222.The details of the construction of the fan assembly 224 will bedescribed later. Suffice it for now to state that the fan assembly isconstructed like the fan assembly 24 described earlier. Thus, the commondetails of the construction of the fan assembly 224 and the fan assembly24 will be given the same reference numbers and the details of theirconstruction and operation will not be reiterated in the interest ofbrevity. The wiper member 226 is also constructed like the wiper member26. Thus, the common details of the construction of the wiper member 226and the wiper member 26 will be given the same reference numbers and thedetails of their construction and operation will not be reiterated inthe interest of brevity.

The housing is best seen in FIG. 13 and basically comprises pluralcomponents, i.e., a base section 222A, a main section 222B, a brushsupport section 222C, and a pair of pivotable covers 22D. The componentsmaking up the housing can be formed of any suitable material, e.g.,plastic, metal, etc. The main section 222B is a hollow body having a topwall 232, and a pair of opposed sidewalls 234 extending downward fromthe top wall 232, a pair of opposed end walls 236 interposed between thesidewalls and also extending downward from the top wall. Each end wallincludes an opening or port 238 through which air may flow into and outof the housing. A decorative ring 240 is located within each opening tofinish the opening. A rectangular window 242 is located in the top wall232. The window serves to receive the wiper member 226. A bracket 244projects upward from the top wall immediately adjacent one end of thewindow 242. The bracket serves to pivotably mount the brush supportsection 222C to the main section 222B of the housing 222. The details ofthe brush support section 222C will be described later. Suffice it fornow to state that it includes plural openings each of which isconfigured to receive the handle 12 of a brush 10.

The pivotable covers 222D are of identical construction to each otherand are preferably formed of a transparent material. Each cover 222D ispivotably connected to the main section 222B, by means of a hinge joint246. The hinged joint can be made in various conventional ways, so longas each cover is pivotably connected to the housing so that the covercan be pivoted from the closed position like shown in FIGS. 23A and 23Bto the open position like shown in FIGS. 12 and 23C-23E.

The main section 222B of the housing 222 is mounted on the base section222A. The base section 222A is best seen in FIGS. 13 and 18. As can beseen it basically comprises a bottom wall 248, a pair of opposedsidewalls 250, a first end wall 252, and a second end wall 254. Thebottom edge of the sidewalls 234 and end walls 236 of the main section222B are secured to the top edges of the sidewalls 250 and end walls 252and 254, respectively, of the base section to form a hollow enclosure inwhich the fan assembly 224, the wiper member 226, the fan motor 228, andthe wiper motor 230 are located. A recess 256 (FIG. 13) is provided inthe bottom edge of the end wall 236 for receipt of an electrical cable(to be described later) that is coupled to the motors 228 and 230 andthe associated electrical circuitry making up the apparatus 220.

The base section 222A also includes an enclosed, but hollow compartment258 projecting upward from the bottom wall 248. The compartment 258 isopen at the end wall 254 to releasably receive a tray 260. The tray 260is best seen in FIG. 19 and basically comprises a short height hollowmember having a bottom wall 260A, from which two sidewalls 260B and 260Cand two end walls 260D and 260E project upward. The end wall 260E is inthe form of a handle 262 which is graspable from the outside of thetray. The tray 260 is configured to receive and hold the heretoforementioned ridged scrubbing panel, designed by the reference number 264.That panel is best seen in FIG. 20 and will be described later.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 21 the details of the brush support section222C will now be described. Thus, as can be seen that section basicallycomprises a rectangular block having plural openings 266 extendingthrough the block. In the exemplary embodiment there are two rows offive opening for a total of ten openings. Each opening 266 includes aninsert in the form of a ring formed of any suitable material, e.g.,silicon, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), foam (. Each ring has aplurality of fingers 266A extending radially inward from the innerperiphery of the ring. The fingers are somewhat resilient so that theycan flex to enable the handle 12 of a brush to be extended through theopening 266 between the free ends of the fingers 266A, whereupon thefingers will flex to frictionally engage the handle of the brush to holdthe brush in place within the opening. The handles of the brushes areextended into the openings 266 from their free end rather than theirbristle end since introducing the bristle end of a brush into an openingwould likely damage the bristles.

In order to facilitate the mounting of the brushes 10 in the openings266, the brush support section 222C is pivotably mounted on the bracket244 by a pivot pin 268 (FIG. 13) extending into a correspondingly shapedopening in the bracket. Accordingly, the brush support section can bepivoted through an arc of at least ninety degrees to bring it into anorientation like shown in FIG. 23C. In that orientation, which can becalled the “loading” orientation, the free end of the handle of anybrush can be juxtaposed opposite an opening 266 into which the brushwill be mounted so that the free end can be inserted between the fingers266A of that opening and pushed inward. The brush is pushed inward tothe point at which the bristles 14 of the brush are located a desireddistance from the brush support member 222C like shown in FIG. 23D. Thatdesired distance is the distance that will enable the free ends of thebristles to engage the blades of the wiping member 22 when the brushsupport section is rotated to its “operative” orientation. Inparticular, once the brushes are loaded into the openings 226 of thebrush support section 222C at the desired distances, the brush supportsection can be rotated about pivot pin 268 ninety degrees to bring it tothe “operative” orientation like shown in FIGS. 12 and 23E. In thatorientation the bristles of the brush are ready to be cleaned and driedby the reciprocation of the wiper member 226 and the concomitantoperation of the fan assembly 224.

As mentioned earlier the fan assembly 224 is similar to the fan assembly24. Thus, it basically comprises the shroud 50, a fan-blade assembly 62and the fan motor 228. The fan-blade assembly 62 is in the form of ahollow cylindrical member having two cylindrical sections 62A and 62Bcentered about its central longitudinal axis and separated by a planarcircular intermediate wall 62C. Each of the sections 62A and 62Bincludes a plurality of linear fan blades 64, which are arcuate incross-section and which extend parallel to the central longitudinalaxis. A linear drive shaft 66 extends along that axis and is fixedlysecured to the center of the intermediate wall 62C. The drive shaft 66constitutes the rotary output shaft of the fan motor 228. The fan-bladeassembly 62 is located within the hollow interior of the shroud 50, withthe open free end of that assembly located immediately adjacent and influid communication with the opening 238 in the housing section 222B.The fan motor 228 is fixedly secured within the housing 222 by anysuitable means, e.g., screws (not shown). Electric power for the fanmotor 228 is provided via an electrical cable 270. The cable extendsthrough the recess 256 in the housing and is connected to the fan motor228, the wiper motor 230 and the remainder of the electrical circuitryof the apparatus 220 (which will be described later).

Turning now to FIG. 17, the details of the wiper member 226 will now bedescribed. The wiper member 226, like the wiper member 26, basicallycomprises a rectangular frame having plural longitudinally extendingblades 26A extending between a pair of end sections 26B. Each of theblades 26A is separated from the immediately adjacent blade by an openslot 26C. A pair of guide pins 26D project outward from the outersurface of each of the end sections 26B. The pins 26D on one end section26B are configured to fit within a respective slot or track 52B (FIGS.14A, 14B and 15) of the shroud 50 of the fan assembly 224, while thepins 26D on the opposite end section 26B are configured to fit withinanother respective slot or track 52B of the shroud 50. The spacingbetween the pins 26D of each pair of pins is less than the length of theslot or track 52B in which the pair of pins is disposed to establish therange of movement or reciprocation of the wiper member 226 with respectto the shroud 50. One of the pairs of guide pins 26D of the wiper memberis pivotably connected to one end of a link of a linkage assembly 56,like that described earlier. The other end of the link is pivotablyconnected to one end of another link of the linkage assembly. Theopposite end of that other link is connected to a rotary output shaft30A of the wiper motor 230. When the electrical power is applied to thewiper motor 230 its rotary output shaft will rotate. The shroud 50 isfixedly secured to the housing 222 via a pair of connecting rods 60extending through associated holes in the flanged end walls 52. Thus,upon the operation of the motor 230, the rotation of the output shaft30A will be translated into linear reciprocating motion of guide pin 26Dconnected to the linkage assembly 56, whereupon that pin will move backand forth in the slot or track 52B thereby carrying the wiper member 226with it. Accordingly, as discussed earlier, the wiper member 226 will beoscillated or reciprocated with respect to the shroud 50 by theoperation of the wiper motor 230 to thereby enable the blades 26A of thewiper member to sweep back and forth across the free end of the brush'sbristles.

Operation of the fan assembly 224 will produce an air stream like thatdescribed above with respect to the apparatus 20 to create a stream ofair which is blown through the slots 26C between the blades of the wipermember 226. In particular, when electricity is applied to the fan motor228 the rotation of its drive shaft 66 rotates the fan-blade assembly62, whereupon ambient air from outside the housing 222 enters throughthe openings 238 into the housing and into the interior of the fan bladeassembly. That action produces a stream of air which is directed outwardthrough the slots 26C in the wiper member 26 into the space immediatelyabove the wiper member. That space serves as the “drying” space and inwhich the bristles of the brushes to be cleaned and dried are located.The stream of air entering the drying space thus impinges the bristlesof those brushes as the blades 26A of the wiping member 226 repeatedlysweep back and forth across those bristles thereby separating them.Accordingly, the stream of air reaches the interstitial spaces betweenthe separated bristles to dry any moisture or wetness on the bristlesand blow any debris off of the bristles.

After the brushes have been cleaned and dried, the brushes can beremoved from the brush support section 222C by merely grasping thehandles of the brushes and pulling them out of their respective openings266.

Turning now to FIG. 20, the details of the scrubbing panel 264 will bedescribed. Thus, as can be seen the scrubbing panel 264 is a generallyplanar rectangular shaped member having a plurality of undulating ridgesprojecting upward from the top surface of the panel. In accordance withone preferred aspect of this invention the scrubbing panel is formed ofsilicon, PTE, polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, etc. As mentionedearlier the scrubbing panel is configured for disposition within thetray 260. The tray is arranged for receipt of a cleaning solution orwater to wet the ridged panel disposed therein. That arrangement enablesone to “prewash” the bristles of the brushes before cleaning and dryingthem with the reciprocating wiping member. That prewashing action can beaccomplished by a user pulling the tray out of the base section by meansof the tray's handle to the position shown in FIG. 23B. A cleaningsolution can then be poured into the tray to wet the scrubbing panel.Then the user can hold the brush in her/his hand and sweep or rub thebristles of the brush across the wetted ridges of the scrubbing panel.That action should effect the removal of most of the debris on thebristles. Once the bristles are sufficiently prewashed, the brush withits wet bristles is ready to be mounted on the brush support member 222Cfor final cleaning and drying. That action is accomplished by pivotingthe covers 222D from their closed state as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B totheir open state as shown in FIG. 23C. In that state the brush supportsection 222C can be pivoted ninety degrees from the orientation shown inFIGS. 23A and 23B to the “loading” orientation shown in FIG. 23C,whereupon the brushes can be loaded into the openings 266 as describedearlier until they are in their final position like shown in FIG. 23D.Once the brushes are so loaded and in their final position, the brushsupport section 222C can be pivoted ninety degrees to the “operative”orientation shown in FIG. 23E, whereupon the brushes can be finallycleaned and dried by the operation of the apparatus 220 as describedearlier. Once the brushes have been cleaned and dried, they can beremoved from the brush support section 222C and the covers 222D reclosedto bring the apparatus back to the state shown in FIG. 23A. If desiredthe tray may be withdrawn from the base section to empty any cleaningsolution within the tray.

The electrical circuitry of the apparatus 220 is located within theinterior of the housing and includes an actuator switch or button 272forming a portion of an operational display panel 274, and an electronictimer (not shown). The electrical circuitry is configured to initiateoperation of the motors 228 and 230, upon the actuation, e.g.,depression, of the actuator button 272 by a user of the apparatus 220.The electronic timer is configured to automatically halt the electricpower to the motors 228 and 230 a predetermined time after theinitiation of operation of those motors, i.e., the depression of theactuator button. The predetermined time is selected to be sufficientlylong to enable the complete cleaning and drying of the bristles of thebrushes. The operational display panel 274 is connected to theelectronic timer and includes plural LEDs 276 which sequentially turn onor off to provide a visual indication of the progress of the cleaningand drying operation. For example, the display can be configured so thatwhen the cleaning operation begins by the depression of the button 272all the LEDs turn on. As the cleaning and drying operation progresses,the LEDs turn off in sequence, whereupon when the timer times out tohalt the operation of the motors, all of the LEDs will be off.

It must be pointed out at this juncture that while the exemplaryembodiments of the invention as described above make use of housingsthat include openings to the ambient surroundings through which theblown-off debris from the brushes may exit, it is contemplated thatapparatus constructed in accordance with this invention may incorporatea housing having some internal space for trapping debris blown off thebrushes. Moreover, many other modifications can be made to the structureof the apparatus of this invention, providing that there will berelative reciprocating or sweeping movement between the wiping memberand the brush heads while a drying air stream is directed through spacesbetween blades of the wiping member.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate ourinvention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge,adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus for cleaning a cosmetic brush, the cosmetic brush including a handle from which a brush-head, comprising a plurality of bristles projects outward, the bristles having a free end, said apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a drying space a support member configured for supporting the handle of at least one cosmetic brush therein, whereupon the bristles of the brush are located within said drying space; a fan configured for introducing a stream of air into said drying space; and a wiping member, said wiping member and said support member being configured to move with respect to each other to cause said wiping member to sweep across the bristles of the brush to cause the bristles to separate, whereupon air from said fan can reach between the bristles to blow any debris off of the bristles and to dry any moisture or wetness on the bristles if there is any such moisture or wetness on the bristles.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wiping member comprises an oscillating member located adjacent said drying space and configured for sweeping across the bristles of the brush.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wiping member comprises plural blades separated from one another by respective air gaps between said blades.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wiping member is located within said stream of air.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fan comprises a rotating member having plural vanes, said rotating member being mounted for rotation about an axis within a shroud to produce the stream of air.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said shroud includes an outlet opening through which said stream of air passes and wherein said wiping member is located over said outlet opening, whereupon said stream of air can flow through said air gaps between said blades.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said shroud is stationarily mounted within said housing and wherein said wiping member is mounted for movement with respect to said shroud, said wiping member being configured to be reciprocated by a motor to cause said wiping member to sweep said blades across the bristles of the brush.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises plural openings, each of which is configured to receive and support a respective cosmetic brush therein.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said support member is pivotable from a loading/unloading position to a cleaning position and vice versa, said support member when in said loading/unloading position being oriented such that the handles of the brushes received within said plural openings extend parallel to said wiping member, said support member when in said cleaning position being oriented such that the handles of the brushes extend at an angle to said wiping member with the bristles of the brushes in engagement with said wiping member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of said plural openings includes a periphery and a plurality of resilient fingers extending inward from said periphery.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus additionally comprising an openable/closable cover configured for extending over and covering said support member and said drying space.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said cover comprises a pair of cover sections, each of which is pivotably connected to said housing.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally an actuator for initiating the operation of the apparatus to cause said fan and said wiping member to begin operation, and a timer for automatically turning off said fan and wiping member after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, additionally comprising a visual display member configured to provide an indication of the amount of time remaining before said time turns said fan and said wiping member off.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a tray including a ridged member configured to receive a cleaning solution on said ridged member, whereupon the bristles of said brush may be wetted with the cleaning solution and rubbed across said ridged member to loosen any debris on said bristles, whereupon said brush can thereafter be mounted on said support member of said apparatus for cleaning.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said ridged member comprises a plurality of undulating ridges spaced adjacent one another.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said ridged member comprises a silicone pad. 